How Miro Heiskanen impressed Jim Montgomery on the first day of Stars training camp

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Defenseman Miro Heiskanen watches between drills on the first day of Dallas Stars development camp at the Dr Pepper StarCenter on Saturday, July 8, 2017, in Frisco. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)

BOISE, Idaho -- Miro Heiskanen hasn't played in an NHL game, nor a preseason game, and only has one training camp practice under his belt in his first season in North America. But the rave reviews keep rolling in for the 19-year-old Finnish defenseman.

"When you talk about smart hockey players, his ability to do our forecheck, especially our neutral-zone forecheck, it was seamless for him," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "His pressure points were exactly where they should be. When he was patient, it was the right call. Excited to work more and more with him."

Montgomery paired the left-handed-shooting Heiskanen with right-hander Stephen Johns. While Heiskanen is known for his skating and ability to score, Johns has earned a reputation as a physical shutdown defenseman.

Montgomery said the pairing "looks pretty good as a combo."

"The experience that Johns has," Montgomery said. "His mobility with the two of them are going to eat up a lot of ice."

Said Heiskanen: "He's more defensive than me, so it's pretty good that we are a pair."

Heiskanen comes over to North America after playing in Finland's Liiga last season, when he was named the top defenseman in the league. He was the No. 3 pick in the 2017 draft and is the Stars' top prospect.

Last weekend in Traverse City, Michigan, Heiskanen wowed with three goals in as many games during the annual prospect tournament.

"He's a silkier skater than I've ever seen, I think," Johns said. "I think the sky's the limit for him. He's obviously showcased his skill at Traverse City, so if that's any indication, we're going to be in a good spot."